Groovy Zoo Gardens

I was always grateful my former neighbor Janie , the elephant stamp at theSanta Barbara Zoo , did n’t fetch her employment home with her . The steps to her second story apartment were not up to her “ carbon monoxide - workers ” pop in for an after - hours beer .

Elephants Have Tough Teeth

I was thinking about Janie – who has since affect up the nutrient chemical chain to the San Diego Wild Animal Park – the other mean solar day while researching a story on menagerie landscaping . I was admire the Santa Barbara Zoo ’s Asian elephants as they gain for stalks of bamboo and giant bird of paradise leaves , freeze from a towering umbrella - covered keep system . Their meal had n’t traveled far . Called “ browse ” in menagerie parlance , these munchies were harvested from landscape areas around the ground , doing double duty not only as a staple fiber in the diet of zoo dweller ( gorillas and giraffes get second “ dibs ” ) , but also as decorative plants simulating of each animal ’s aboriginal habitat .

The giant condors ’ showing was surround by native California vegetation , the lions ’ by alien South African bitter aloes and other autochthonous succulents . Walking through the fern - festooned , free - trajectory volary took on the ambience of a Tarzan film .

I also learned that volunteers play a heavy part in stay fresh the zoological garden ’s landscaping in tiptop shape . A recent serial publication of volunteer work parties eradicated invasive non - native works from the banks of the neighboring salt pool and install appropriate aboriginal botany . These volunteers receive top - nick horticultural training and get to build up friendships with other like - apt gardening lover .

Lions and Tigers and Bare Roots!

And it ’s not just a Santa Barbara thing . A quick scan of websites across the nation revealed a wealth of program for backyard gardener and youth .

For model , theLittle Rock Zoois always look for individuals who have a strong commitment to “ the art of flora , flower , fruit , and vegetable fear . ” distinctive tasks include springiness planting of Tree , shrubs , and bedding plants , summer flowerbed tearing , and pass mulching . They also have limited labor that are ideally suited to garden clubs .

TheCincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardenhas a generous offering for local gardeners . Earlier this year they pop the question a serial publication of 10 division deal design , plant selection , maintenance , gardening for wildlife , and how to approach a garden make - over , teach by Steve Foltz , Director of Horticulture . look like they ’ll be offering the serial again in 2012 , so checktheir websitefor more info .

apart from involving the general world in horticultural occurrence , some organization take it a stride further . TheZoo InternQuest programat the San Diego Zoo is a seven - workweek life history exploration syllabus for county high schoolhouse juniors and senior . Through their horticultural curriculum , students learn about the rarified and worthful plant collections at the zoological garden , germ bank programs , and gain awareness about conservation of threaten home ground around the world .

The Zoomazium at theWoodland Zooin Seattle takes the idea of landscaping beyond just the aesthetic benefits , designing and manufacture a LEED Gold construction [ What is LEED ? ] that reduces the impacts of stormwater overspill with a 8,300 square foot green ceiling , planted with 22,000 native plants , some of them self - sow to reduce the need for replanting .

Plan A Visit

Zoos have derive a long way since the day of unimaginative , concrete and steel bar John Milton Cage Jr. . They are at the forefront of educated stewardship , preservation of home ground and resourcefulness , and educational efforts that help all generations value the fragility of the satellite we all share . Visit yours soon , and while you ’re there , see if there are a few botanical marvel you’re able to witness a home for in your own garden .

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